Grant is keeping Bedford Township up to date on sewer work

A $1 million grant that Bedford Township applied for in 2013 to find issues and make needed repairs in its wastewater treatment lines and facility is doing what was intended.

Paula Wethington Monroe News staff reporter MonroeNewsPaula

A $1 million grant that Bedford Township applied for in 2013 to find issues and make needed repairs in its wastewater treatment lines and facility is doing what was intended.

Monroe County Deputy Drain Commissioner Timothy Csurgo and Phil Westmoreland of the engineering firm Spicer Group gave a joint presentation at the Jan. 3 township board meeting to update elected officials on the the five-year plan.

They also took the opportunity to explain to residents who were concerned about a sewer rate increase taking effect this month that additional funding and more will be needed for necessary updates to the sanitary system.

The Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Grant Program, which is managed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, is intended in part to fix problems of stormwater seeping into sanitary sewer lines. It costs money to treat water that doesn’t need to be treated and so it is best to keep groundwater out.

But looking ahead, Mr. Westmoreland said the system itself is aging. The plant was built in 1969. Township board members were encouraged to get a tour of the facility so they can see what the challenges are of keeping the original equipment working. Replacement parts are not easy to find in some cases.

“If anything in the plant fails, it’s going to be a major problem,” Mr. Westmoreland added. “It’s just tough when it gets old.”

There is a plan to deal with the situation: significant improvements to the sewage disposal system and plant are scheduled to start late this year. The cost is estimated at $12 million. The township officials have committed to spending $3 million and finance the rest.

Mr. Csurgo said the requested updates would get the plant in good enough shape to last 20 years with only routine maintenance or minor repairs.

Capacity also is not a concern, as repairs currently in progress will help the system work more efficiently.

“I think we’re being very proactive,” he said.

If all goes as hoped, participation in the Strategic Water Quality program will help Bedford Township become eligible for low-cost loans. That process is starting, Mr. Csurgo said, but an answer on the loan won’t be known until summer.

In the meantime, Bedford Township sewer line customers will see bills jump by about 15 percent this year; with another increase in 2018.